Module for packages

ABSTRACT

One variation may include a method including providing a module for packaging, delivering and displaying goods in the module, the module including at least one face which may be removed, retracted or moved to display goods prepackaged in the module, packaging a plurality of goods in the module, delivering the module to a factory, office, hospital, warehouse or retail store, removing, retracting or moving a face of the module to display the goods prepackaged in the module. Another variation may include a module including the elevator floor system and at least one sensor for determining the height of stacked packages within the module.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includespre-packaged or pre-stocked modules and methods of making and using thesame.

BACKGROUND

Factory, hospital, office, warehouse and retail shipping requires thatthe shipped goods change packaging several times before arriving at theend user or any retail location. Climate control items (emergency ormedical supplies) or time-sensitive items compound this issue. At retaillocations, packaging often has to further accommodate display hardware.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS OF THE INVENTION

One variation may include providing a module for packaging, deliveringand displaying goods in the module, the module including at least oneface which may be removed, retracted or moved to display goodsprepackaged in the module, packaging a plurality of goods in the module,delivering the module to a factory, office, hospital, warehouse orretail store, removing, retracting or moving a face of the module todisplay the goods prepackaged in the module.

In one variation the at least one face may comprise a door which may beswung open to display the goods.

In one variation the at least one face may comprise a retractable thematerial.

In one variation the at least one face may comprise a soft protectivematerial.

In one variation the module may be delivered to a retail store anddisplayed directly as a point-of-purchase display.

In one variation the module may include an elevator floor systemconstructed and arranged to automatically move according to the heightof packages loaded onto or offloaded from the module.

In one variation the module may include an elevator floor systemconstructed and arranged to automatically move according to the heightof packages loaded onto or offloaded from the module, the elevator floorsystem comprising a floor suspended from the module by a flexiblematerial.

In another variation the elevator floor system comprises at least onesensor for determining the height of stacked packages within the module.

In another variation the module having an opening formed thereinconstructed and arranged so that packages they be deposited in themodule through the opening, the elevator floor system further comprisingat least one sensor for determining the when the module is full ofpackages.

In another variation the module having an opening formed therein mayfurther comprise a communication device constructed and arranged to senda signal communicating when the module is full of packages.

One variation may include a module having an elevator floor systemincluding a floor, a sensor for determining the height of packagesstacked on the floor, a means for moving the floor, a controlleroperatively connected to the means for moving the floor and the sensorwherein the controller is constructed and arranged to send a signal tothe means for moving the floor so that the height of the packages are ata predetermined height.

One variation may include a method comprising providing a module havingan elevator floor system including a floor, a sensor for determining theheight of packages stacked on the floor, a means for moving the floor, acontroller operatively connected to the means for moving the floor andthe sensor and constructed arranged to receive input from an operatorspecifying the height of packages from a floor on which the operator isstanding, inputting into the controller a specified height for thepackages, pacing a second package in the module on the floor or on topof packages in the module that are stacked on the floor, allowing thecontroller to adjust the height of the floor so that the second packageis moved so that the height of the packages stacked on the floorincluding the second package is at the height specified by the operator.

Other illustrative variations of the invention will become apparent fromthe detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understoodthat the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosingoptional variations of the invention, are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

BRIEF DESORPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations of the invention will become more fullyunderstood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a module having a movable floor 24 and a plurality ofpackages stacked on the movable floor according to a number ofvariations of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a module having a movable floor and having aplurality of packages stacked on the movable floor that is less than thenumber of packages stacked on the movable floor in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a casing including a first open side and an oppositesecond open side constructed and arranged to receive a module accordingto a number of variations of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a module constructed and arranged to be received inthe casing illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a casing having a module received therein and whereinthe module includes a retractable side panel according to a number ofvariations of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of removing a module from a casing accordingto a number of variations of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates modules in a side-by-side relationship, each having aplurality of packages stacked on a movable floor of the module andwherein the packages stacked on the movable floor in both modules are ata predetermined height according to a number of variations of theinvention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of stacking packages on a module having anelevator floor where in the modules are constructed and arranged tomaintain the height of packages stacked on the floor at an operatorselected height according to a number of variations of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of delivering a prepackaged module anddisplaying the contents of the module in a hospital, office, or retailfacility according to a number of variations of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of delivering a prepackaged module anddisplaying the contents in a warehouse facility according to a number ofvariations of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view with portions removed of a module showing aplurality of elastic members attached to the floor according to a numberof variations of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative innature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, itsapplication, or uses.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a module 10 having a floor 24 and a plurality ofpackages stacked on the floor 24 according to a number of variations ofthe invention. In a number of variations the floor 24 may be or may notbe movable. The module 10 may include a first rectangular early shapeside frame 12 an opposite spaced apart second rectangular early shapedside frame 14. A roof 16 may extend between the side frames 12, 14. Oneor more support members 18 may extend between the side frames 12, 14opposite the roof 16. A plurality of wheels 20 may be attached to themodule, for example to the side frames 12, 14. Each of the first andsecond side frames 12, 14, may have a side face 22 attached thereto. Inanother variation, the side face 22 may have an end first attached to aspring biased roller (not shown) positioned near the roof 16 and asecond end attached to a movable floor 24 so that the second end of theside face 22 moves with the movable floor 24. The side face 22 may beflexible, retractable, movable or detachable. A plurality of packages 26may be placed on the movable floor 24. The movable floor 24 may be movedpassively or may be actively controlled and moved using any of a numberof means including, but not limited to, a motor driven belt or chainattached to the floor 24, or a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator systemconnected to the floor 24. One or more controls 28 may be provided onthe module and connected to a means for raising and lowering the movablefloor 24. In one variation, a plurality of elastic members may extendfrom the side frames 12, 24 or the roof 16 and attached to the floor 24to bias the floor in an upward direction towards the roof. In onevariation, the elastic members 25 (best seen in FIG. 11) have arelatively linear resistance to the force being applied to the number ofand weight of the packages 26 stacked on the movable floor 24 so thatthe height of the packages 26 stacked on the floor is a relativelyconstant height from the floor on which the module 10 rest.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, in a number of variations, a casing or shell30 may be provided to enclose at least a portion of the module 10. Inone variation, the casing 30 encloses or surrounds the front portion 50,roof portion 52, back portion 54, and bottom portion 56 of the module10. The casing 30 may have a first side opening 31 and an oppositesecond side opening 33 to expose the respective first side portion 58and second side portion 60 of the module 10. As illustrated in FIG. 4,in one variation, a door 36 may be pivotally connected to one of theside frames 12, 14 to at least partially close the front portion 50 ofthe module 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, the module 10 may be received in the casing30. The module 10 may be removed from the casing 30 by an operator 38,for example, when the module 10 is full of packages. The module 10 mayalso be equipped with a communication device 62 which may send a signalto alert the operator 38 that the module 10 is full of packages 26.

As illustrated by FIG. 7, first and second modules 10 may be provided ina side-by-side relationship both including a movable floor 24 in a meansfor moving the floor constructed and arranged so the height, shown byline H, of packages 26 stacked on the movable floor 24 remainsrelatively constant without regard to the number of packages or theweight of the packages stacked on the movable floor 24.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in a number of variations the module 10 mayinclude a means for moving the movable floor and for the operator toselect a height of packages that are stacked on the floor such that themovable floor 24 moves so that the height of the packages stacked in thefloor remains relatively constant and at the level selected by theoperator. This provides the advantage of allowing operators of differentheight to repeatedly place packages in the module 10 at a height that iscomfortable for the operator. This may be particularly advantageous whena plurality of packages 26 are provided by a conveyor 44 or repeatedlyplaced on a table 44 in front of the operator to be packaged in themodule 10.

Referring now to FIG. 9, in a number of variations, the module 10 may ormay not include a movable floor 24. Nevertheless, the module 24 may beprepackaged with a number of packages and delivered to a factory,hospital, office, warehouse or retail facility where in the packages 26stacked in the module 10 may be made visible, in one variation, acounter 46 may be provided and constructed and arranged to provideopenings there under into which one or more modules 10 may be placed ina manner displaying the packages 26 stacked in the module 10. When thepackages 26 in the module 10 have been removed, the module 10 can besimply rolled out from underneath the counter 46 and sent back to thesupplier to repackage the module 10 with new packages 26. This may beparticularly advantageous as the module 10 is used to ship, store anddisplay the packages 26 therein. Thus, it is not necessary to remove thepackages 26 from the module 10 and then move the packages 26 into adifferent storage or display device. In one variation, the module 10 mayhave a hard casing 30 covering the sides 22, front portion 50, roofportion 52, back portion 54 and bottom portion 56 and may beparticularly useful for sensitive materials such as medical supplies orrefrigerated items.

FIG. 10 illustrates a method of delivering a module 10 having a numberof packages 26 prepackaged therein and being delivered to a warehousewherein the modules 10 are positioned in warehouse shelving 66 or astorage location so that the packages are visible. Consumer retailerssuch as, but not limited to, Costco, Lowes, Home Depot, or Walmart maybenefit from the modules 10 because the modules 10 simplify warehousestorage, shelving and delivery from trucks. The module 10 may also beused as a “point of purchase” display so that less display hardwarewould be needed by retailers.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view with portions removed of a module 10 showinga plurality of elastic members 25 attached to the floor 24 according toa number of variations of the invention.

The above description of select examples of the invention is merelyexemplary in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not tobe regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method comprising providing a module for packaging, delivering anddisplaying goods in the module, the module comprising at least one facewhich may be removed, retracted or moved to display goods prepackaged inthe module, packaging a plurality of goods in the module, delivering themodule to a factory, office, hospital, warehouse or retail store,removing, retracting or moving a face of the module to display the goodsprepackaged in the module.
 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe at least one face may comprise a door which may be swung open todisplay the goods.
 3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the atleast one face may comprise a retractable the material.
 4. A method asset forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one face may comprise a softprotective material.
 5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein thedelivering comprises delivering the module to a retail store anddisplaying the package in the module as a point-of-purchase display. 6.A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the module comprises anelevator floor system constructed and arranged to automatically moveaccording to the height of packages loaded onto or offloaded from themodule.
 7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the module comprisesan elevator floor system constructed and arranged to automatically moveaccording to the height of packages loaded onto or offloaded from themodule, the elevator floor system comprising a floor suspended from themodule by a flexible material.
 8. A method as set forth in claim 1wherein the module comprises at least one sensor for determining theheight of stocked packages within the module.
 9. A method as set forthin claim 1 wherein the module has an opening formed therein constructedand arranged so that packages may be deposited in the module through theopening, module further comprising at least one sensor for determiningthe when the module is full of packages.
 10. A method as set forth inclaim 1 wherein the module further comprises a communication deviceconstructed and arranged to send a signal communicating when the moduleis full of packages.
 11. A method comprising providing a module havingan elevator floor system including a floor, a sensor for determining theheight of packages stacked on the floor, a means for moving the floor, acontroller operatively connected to the means for moving the floor inthe sensor and constructed arranged to receive input from an operatorspecifying the height of packages from a floor on which the operator isstanding, inputting into the controller a specific height for thepackages, placing a second package in the module on the floor or on topof packages in the module that are stacked on the floor, allowing thecontroller to adjust the height of the floor so that the second packageis moved so that the height of the packages stacked on the floorincluding the second package is that the height specified by theoperator.
 12. A module having an elevator floor system including afloor, a sensor for determining the height of packages stacked on thefloor, a means for moving the floor, a controller operatively connectedto the means for moving the floor and the sensor and constructedarranged to move the floor so that the height of the packages are at apredetermined height.
 13. A product for packaging, delivering anddisplaying goods comprising a module having an elevator floor systemincluding a floor for stacking packages on the floor, the module havinga resting surface supporting the module, a sensor for determining theheight of packages stacked on the floor, a means for moving the floor sothat height of the packages above the resting surface the stacked on thefloor remains substantially contact.
 14. A product as set forth in claim13 wherein the module comprised wheel for contacting ground and movingthe module, and wherein the resting surface is the wheels.
 15. A productas set forth in claim 13 wherein the module comprises a roof, and themeans for moving the floor comprises an elastic material attached to thefloor and to the connected to the roof.
 16. A product as set forth inclaim 13 wherein the module comprises a first side frame and a secondside frame, and the means for moving the floor comprises an elasticmaterial attached to the floor and to the connected to at least one ofthe first side frame or the second side frame.
 17. A product as setforth in claim 13 further comprising a controller operatively connectedto the means for moving the floor and the sensor and constructedarranged to move the floor so that the height of the packages are at apredetermined height.
 18. A product as set forth in claim 13 wherein theat least one face may comprise a door which may be swung open to displaythe goods.
 19. A product as set forth in claim 13 wherein the at leastone face may comprise a retractable the material.
 20. A product as setforth in claim 13 wherein the at least one face may comprise a softprotective material.